Da le belle contrade d’oriente

Da le belle
contrade d’oriente

From the lovely realms of the East

Chiare e lieta
s’ergea Ciprigna, ed io

clearly and joyful rose Venus, the Morning Star, and
I

Fruiva in braccio
al divin idol mio

enjoyed in the arms of my divine beloved

Quel piacer che
non cape humana mente,

that pleasure no human mind can grasp.

Quando sentii
dopo un sospir ardente:

When I heard, after an ardent sigh:

Speranza del mio
cor, dolce desio,

“Hope of my heart, sweet desire,

T’en vai, haime,
sola mi lasci addio.

you go, alas, you leave me here alone. Farewell!

Che sarà qui di
me scura e dolente?

What shall become of me here, sad and sorrowful?

Ahi crudo Amor,
ben son dubiose e corte

Alas, cruel love, your pleasures are indeed

Le tue dolcezze,
poi ch’ancor ti godi

uncertain and brief, for while I yet enjoy you,

Che l’estremo
piacer finisca in pianto.

the greatest happiness ends in tears.”

Nè potendo dir
più, cinseme forte,

Unable to say any more, she held me tightly,

Iterando
gl’amplessi in tanti nodi,

repeating the embraces in more entwinings

Che giammai ne
fer più l’Edra o l’Acanto.

than ever were made by the ivy or acanthus.